The Dooly County Commissioners met for their regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, April 5.

At the start of the meeting, the Commissioners honored the Fullington Academy Lady Trojans basketball team for their state championship victory back in February. The commissioners adopted a proclamation and presented it to Fullington Head Basketball Coach, Van Bailey.

“It was an amazing year at Fullington for girls’ and boys’ basketball. It was unbelievable how blessed I was with an amazing group of girls this year, and the way they worked and as hard as they fought all year until the very end. We finished 25-5 on an 18 game winning streak. It was an amazing year and I’m very proud of my girls,” said Coach Bailey.

Next, commissioners approved entering into a Guaranteed Energy Services Contract with Energy Service Company ABM. The project includes a full audit of facilities for the purpose of seeking to drive utility and operational costs down.

The commissioners heard from Emergency Management Director, Kenny Calhoun about a grant that the county has been approved to receive from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (EMA). Commissioners approved the authorization to accept the Hazard Mitigation Grant from the Georgia EMA. The grant is for updating the Dooly County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan in order to meet federal government requirements. The total approved cost is $28,000, with a federal share of $21,000. The state’s share is set at $2,800 with a localized share of $4,200. The plan is for the purpose of reimbursing county officials for their time, services and input invested in the community without costing the county anything.

Next on the agenda was a brief discussion about a request from the town of Byromville about making some repairs to the fire station. The commissioners plan to look into some options, and discuss further action at a future meeting.

Jacob Joiner, of the Dooly County Recreation Department, then addressed the commissioners about some upgrades to the Dooly County Rec Department facilities. The Rec Department is seeking to get started on two projects in the coming weeks, one having to do with getting three new scoreboards for the athletic fields, and the other for renovation of the community building. The commissioners gave their approval to go through with the projects.

A request from Dooly County Family Connection to use some office space out of the EDC building, which used to house the County Agent’s Office, was then approved.

The commissioners then approved the allocation of funds to the 2018-2019 fiscal year Funding Request for the Cordele Judicial Circuit Superior Court, Juvenile Court and Data Exchange Project. The requested amount from Dooly County for the Superior Court portion is $59,188, while the amount for the Juvenile Court is $24,220, and the amount requested for the Data Exchange project is $7,734. The amount paid for each is based on population of the counties involved.

In the public hearing portion of the meeting, the commissioners decided to approve the proposed abandonment of County Road 199. It was determined that the road no longer serves a substantial public purpose. The road will now once again become a part of the property of the adjacent landowners near it when they decide how to divide it back up.

The need for a new wheel loader for the Public Works Department was discussed. The commissioners reviewed prices on pieces of equipment from various providers. The choice was made to purchase the piece of equipment from Crosby Equipment as it was the best priced vehicle that was able to accomplish the task needed.

Commissioners have also declared two items as Surplus Property, a 1999 Chevrolet Venture Van and a 2005 Hustler 52” Zero Turn Mower. The items are listed for sale on GovDeals online auction website (www.govdeals.com). Those who may be interested in bidding on the items can go to the website and submit a bid. Bids are being accepted through 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 12. For additional information contact Gary Houston at 229-268-6696.

Last, the commissioners approved the Local Maintenance Improvement Grant (LMIG) project contract with GA Asphalt for $552,441.33. The contract is for work on 7.7 miles on Calhoun Rd beginning at Pinehurst city limits and ending at Highway 27.

The next regular meeting of the Dooly County Board of Commissioners is scheduled for Thursday, April 19, at 9 a.m. at the Dooly County Commissioners’ Office at 113 N, 3^rd St in Vienna.